Blaze claims nearly 30 animals

Tuesday

STOCKTON - Five cats, a rabbit and at least 22 birds were killed Monday in a house fire in central Stockton.

STOCKTON - Five cats, a rabbit and at least 22 birds were killed Monday in a house fire in central Stockton.

A crippled Chihuahua that hid beneath the covers of a bed survived, as did a dog to which the Stockton Fire Department gave oxygen, said Maria Couragee, the owner of the Baker Street home.

She knelt where firefighters laid those that did not live, and she cried.

All were rescued from pounds or less desirable places, she said. Some were to stay there. Others were to have been adopted out, Couragee said.

There was Frieda, a Siamese cat, and Marvin the rabbit. Baby, a sulphur-crested cockatoo, came from Reno and "talked really well," she said. So did the African grey parrot, Rosie, she said.

The bird used to say, "I need your love. Step up," Couragee said.

All died of smoke inhalation, she said.

The fire started about 8:15 a.m. in the laundry room at the back of her house, fire Capt. Curtis LaFever said. Its cause remained undetermined. The loss was estimated at $60,000, officials said. No person was injured.

Couragee, an English teacher at Stockton School for Adults, was at work when the fire started. Neighbors fetched her, she said.

"I don't care about the house," she said.

A firefighter at her home soaked the roof later Monday. The Rev. Eddie Green, a department chaplain, told Couragee it was not her fault.

But she said, "I took them off the street to give them a better life."

Then this.

The Chihuahua, Doodle, and the dog that required oxygen were at a veterinarian's clinic for observation, Couragee said. Two other dogs that were outside and hid in bushes were staying at the clinic, too.

Three of Couragee's students came to her house later Monday to bury her pets, she said.

Contact reporter David Siders at (209) 943-8580 or dsiders@recordnet.com.

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